Sir, – Your Editorial (Bicycle boom, May 23rd) said The Great Western Greenway has meant “more than €1 million to the local economy since it was opened two years ago”. Greenways are the expected norm in other European countries, we have finally woken up to the tourism spending they create but we are playing catch-up. A 2006 Fáilte Ireland report showed the infrastructure deficit in this area. A national greenway network is needed and could be achieved for relatively little cost. Ireland is losing out to countries catering for long-distance cycling and walking tourists; tired, hungry tourists – who spend money.
The abandoned railway line from Claremorris in Co Mayo to Collooney just outside Sligo town at 70km long would make a perfect greenway. In the unlikely event of the line ever being selected for re-opening as a railway in the distant future – a greenway on the route now would protect the alignment from further encroachment and land grabs that have already taken place on the line. It would put this publicly- owned route, currently wasted, to great use today, for visitors and locals alike. If connected to the Great Western Greenway via Kiltimagh and Castlebar it would create a continuous 150km greenway from Sligo (Collooney) to Achill. Such a project would transform walking and cycling tourism in the west, with many small towns that never see a tourist benefiting.
The success of the Great Western Greenway is proof it works, the fact we are losing long distance cycling tourists to other countries is proof of the lost opportunity.
This project is “shovel ready” there are no land ownership issues – it would not cost a great deal and would pay for itself within five years through increased spend in the areas it goes through. SligoMayo greenway campaign has asked for meetings with Minister Michael Ring to discuss the potential of this project but have been continually ignored. Perhaps we just don’t want to encourage tired hungry tourists? Perhaps Enda Kenny, who is a keen cyclist might ring Michael’s bike bell to wake him up to this huge opportunity? – Yours, etc,